The Scarlet Earl, Tanuki Pajon

Marine Headquarters

Not long after, Roman was "captured" by Garp, not only because a navy man mixed in with a group of royalty seemed too out of place, but also because there was something more important:

"What?! Aokiji attacked the Navy?!"

Why don't you mention that Akainu was doing a striptease at Marine Headquarters?

"Haha, if that really happens, I'll definitely prepare Camera Den Den Mushi!!"

Garp patted Roman on the shoulder, making a loud 'bang, bang, bang' sound that caused Roman's Armament Haki to fluctuate.

"In short, the fact is that 'Aokiji' attacked our 16th Squadron, resulting in the loss of more than ten warships. The casualties were heavy, and the Sakazuki are furious, hahaha~~"

"All right,"

Roman sighed helplessly. So, while the navy was indeed a large and powerful force, its extensive operations also meant more trouble. A mere few Admiral and candidate Admiral were often stretched thin—especially now that the Reverie was underway, with a large number of personnel deployed to protect the royal families of various nations.

"Vice Admiral Garp, candidate Admiral Roman, please come in!"

As the orderly pushed open the door, a group of heavy smokers were puffing away in the smoke-filled office, watching a pair of black Den Den Mushi used for eavesdropping on the Fleet Admiral's desk.

This is?

"I'm not here for you, that bastard Morgans! He wrote me up as a crazy woman in the newspapers..."

The loud, greedy, and domineering voice coming from the Den Den Mushi belonged to Big Mom; and the person she was talking to was:

"You're kidding? No way!"

"The Straw Hat crew ruined my business before and sent 'Joker' to Impel Down! Now they're coming after me again, and I will wipe them out!"

Without a doubt, this voice belongs to 'Kaido the Beasts'.

"Go ahead and try it! I'm not discussing this with you, I'm just letting you know. —The Straw Hat crew's lives are mine!!"

Click,

········

What do you all think?

How do you see it? Look with your eyes... Isn't it obvious?

"This is a bit troublesome. If Big Mom and Kaido make contact... it's hard to guarantee that they won't join forces," Garp scratched his short silver hair. "You know, they were both once members of the Rocks Pirates, so it's not impossible."

"Um·····"

Akainu looked grave. Ryokugyu was guarding the Reverie, Fujitora was contacting the kings of Alabasta and Dressrosa, preparing to propose abolishing the Shichibukai at the meeting.

Although Akainu and Fujitora had a fight over the Den Den Mushi, Akainu had actually been secretly preparing his forces to wipe out the Shichibukai. And now, at this critical juncture...

"Should I go over and take a look?"

Kizaru rarely volunteered, but Akainu shook his head.

It's not that I'm afraid something might happen to Kizaru —some people always think that the Three Admirals are not as good as the Four Emperors, but that's not true. For example, if Kizaru were to become a pirate, how much bounty would he have?

It's not an exaggeration to say that tens of billions of Beli!

The Glint-Glint Fruit's mobility is unparalleled in the entire One Piece world. He could easily kill two kings today and slaughter a few Celestial Dragons tomorrow. Unless protected by top-tier combatants, the heads of all the lower-ranking members of this world would be a piece of cake for Kizaru.

Furthermore, the laser explosion of the Glint-Glint Fruit itself is incredibly powerful, enough to single-handedly turn the world upside down. Therefore, no matter how much Kizaru holds back, no one objects to him, simply because it would be too dangerous for his power to be allowed to circulate.

"No, the situation in Wano Country is very complicated..."

As Fleet Admiral, Akainu knew that the World Government was secretly contacting Orochi, the Kurozumi Orochi Wano Country, to discuss the purchase of Seastone. Although Akainu disliked the World Government, given the easily defensible Wano Country, he decided to let the World Government figure out a solution.

He can't afford to lose face like that.

"Everyone should remain vigilant about this matter. I am particularly concerned about the incident near 'Sleepy Town' where the 16th Squad was attacked by 'Aokiji'."

While Akainu and Aokiji did indeed clash on ideology, they were longtime comrades who knew each other inside and out. Akainu simply couldn't believe that Aokiji would so ruthlessly kill his former colleague...

"The culprit is indeed former Marine Admiral 'Aokiji'!"

A rear Marine Major General covered in bandages stepped forward excitedly.

"I can't be wrong!"

"And then there are all those brothers I have under my command! If that's not enough—"

Tear

He ripped off the bandages, revealing large patches of frostbite on the Rear Admiral's chest! This familiar injury left the Vice Admiral and Admiral in the room speechless.

"Don't get excited,"

Roman waved his hand, sending several emerald green papers flying and sticking them to the Rear Admiral's chest, while also drawing most people's attention to himself.

"If I'm not mistaken, the attacker is not the real 'Aokiji,' but a creation of his abilities."

?!

"Could it be him?"

Garp was the first to react, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

"'The Red Earl' Patrick Redfield?"

Akainu frowned. It was all that damned 'Blackbeard' Teach's fault. Back then, he not only took a group of experts from Level 6 of Impel Down, but also released several monster-level guys.

For example, there's the former 'World Destroyer' who has already been recruited, now captain of the 'United Transport Fleet' World.

And then there's the legendary the Red Earl, who could single-handedly take on an entire army.

"That's right, if it's him, everything makes sense."

The Red Earl was a top-tier Great Pirates of the previous era, a top-level fighter who was on par with Roger and Whitebeard! Sengoku praised him as a man who could rival the Whitebeard Pirates on his own, while Garp commented that "he is not worthy of being remembered in history."

This is not contradictory. The Red Earl's strength is undoubtedly among the world's best; however, he is a very... laid-back person and has absolutely no interest in conquering the world or ruling the seas.

Furthermore, his Observation Haki allows him to clearly hear the thoughts in anyone's mind, and if they get close, he can even read their memories. This troubles him greatly, and he eventually reluctantly agrees to Impel Down.

Roman also knows that the Red Earl has a pet: a raccoon named Pato.

His true identity is a pen that ate the 'Zoan Cat-Cat Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Tanuki Mode'! Combined with the Red Earl's world-class Observation Haki, he can write 'memories' on the leaves created by Pato and transform them into people, and even change the environment to resemble the appearance in his memories.

The transformed person possesses the original's physical strength, combat skills, and Devil Fruit abilities!

You could say he's a one-man army of Four Emperors).

If the people transformed from leaves hadn't lacked Haki, even the navy might not have been able to withstand them.

Even so, the 'Aokiji' he created from leaves could still easily overwhelm an entire naval fleet.

"·····I see,"

After Roman's explanation, the injured Marine Major General nodded, slowly calming his agitated expression. After all, having his fleet destroyed by his former colleagues, superiors, and respected idols was something no one could bear.

"Is it that guy Redfield?"

Kizaru stroked his chin.

"This is a terrifying guy, even I..."

"Let me go."

?!

Faced with the bewildered looks from a group of top experts, Roman sighed. Could it be that 'Sleepy Town' was right on the Straw Hat crew's path? In any case, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.

"Of course, I'm just going to give it a try. After all, that 'The Red Earl' is already over eighty years old, who knows..."

Thump!

"You brat, are you looking down on us old folks?"

No, no, no, teacher, yours doesn't count.

Roman, who had just taken a hit from the "Fist of Love," rolled his eyes. If he weren't already quite strong, he probably would have been getting bumps on his head. —Although his head was still buzzing.

"That's settled then. Roman, go investigate the whereabouts of the 'The Red Earl'."

Akainu gave the order, but added a final sentence.

"Be safe!"

"Young Roman, don't be careless. Redfield's speed is difficult even for us old guys to handle."

After the meeting, Garp gave Roman a serious warning, worried that he might suffer from his youthful arrogance. After all, the Red Earl was different from others; his speed, honed through training, was comparable to Kizaru's while moving, and coupled with his ability to read other people's thoughts and even memories, being touched by him was basically a losing proposition.

By the way, the Red Earl is also a top-tier swordsman!

Although he was using an umbrella in his hand.

"Yes, I'll be careful, Garp- sensei."

Roman knew perfectly well just how strong the Red Earl was. If it weren't for his carefree and unconventional personality, he would have long been a true Yonko of the Sea), and even the title of King of the Pirates wouldn't have been out of the question.

With a wave of his hand, he can summon a group of top-tier Devil Fruit user. Although they lack Haki, Logia don't usually rely on Haki anyway—except for that one Logia wielding Seastone weapon.

Moreover, in the original story, when the Straw Hat crew faced the Red Earl, even with everyone on high alert, they were all caught off guard and thoroughly attacked! His speed was astounding; how could Roman dare to be careless? If he could, he would have liked to run as far away as possible, but:

Oh well, things will work themselves out.

Blink,

When Roman returned to the Sunny Merry, what he saw was:

"Oh, Tanuki, is that the island you and 'Boss' agreed upon up ahead?"

"Let me see,"

A tanuki, about the same size as Chopper, stood on the ship's railing. Wearing a pink hooded jacket and blue shorts, it pulled out a leaf and began scribbling on it with its pen-like tail, then:

Thump,

The leaves turned into telescopes, which made the rabbit girl Carrot next to her clap her hands excitedly.

"Little Pato is amazing!"

"That's the island, Tanuki~"

Why,

This is why Roman took on this 'job': the slightly senile the Red Earl lost his pet Tanuki Pajon, who was then found by the Straw Hat crew. And given Luffy's personality, he would naturally take him to 'Sleepy Town' along the way, so without a doubt:

You'll run into the Red Earl!

"Pato, although our time together has been short, our journey together has come to an end."

Brook bowed slightly to the little raccoon.

"Don't forget the kindness of me fishing you out!"

Usopp pointed his thumb at himself.

"And don't forget the kindness I showed by stopping everyone from cooking and eating you."

Nami tapped the tanuki's forehead as a joke.

"Chopper,"

Sanji crouched down and patted Chopper on the shoulder.

"It is sad, but say goodbye to your brother."

?

"I'm not a raccoon dog!!"

"Waaaaah, I'm so reluctant to let her go! Please, little Pato, stay!"

Seeing Carrot crying, Pedro lit a cigarette.

"Have you forgotten that this ship belongs to Luffy?"

Why,

Isn't it mine?

The bunny girl, who had taken over the role, was shocked!

"You guys seem to be in a good mood,"

Roman, recovering from his AFK state, rubbed his temples and had to admit that the Straw Hat crew were essentially an 'unofficial Navy 404th Division'. Otherwise, why would they be running into the real the Red Earl so soon after headquarters held a meeting to discuss the matter?

"Hehehe, I smell adventure!"

Roman rolled his eyes at Luffy, who was standing grinning at the bow of the ship.

I can almost smell that we're about to get beaten up again!

"Whatever makes you happy,"

Anyway:

If we get beaten up, we all get beaten up together. If we think about it that way, it's not a bad deal at all!